Geological Constraints On The Thermodynamic Properties Of The Stilbite-Stellerite Solid Solution In Low-Grade Metabasalts

Journal Article: Geological Constraints On The Thermodynamic Properties Of The Stilbite-Stellerite Solid Solution In Low-Grade Metabasalts

Abstract

Standard state thermodynamic data for stilbite (Ca2NaAl5Si13O36*16H2O) and stellerite (Ca2Al4Si14O36*14H2O), together with mixing properties of the stilbite -stellerite solid solution (stilbite SS) are derived through assessment of geological observations of stilbite SS compositions in metabasalts, experimental phase equilibria, and calorimetric observations. Measured compositions of stilbite SS in Tertiary metabasalts in Iceland and Icelandic geothermal systems change systematically towards the stellerite endmember with increasing stratigraphic depth and temperature. Standard molal volumes, heat capacities, and entropies for the endmembers of the solid solution are derived through critical review of published crystallographic and calorimetric data for natural stilbite SS. Standard molal Gibbs energies of formation at 298.15 K and 1 bar for stilbite (-4,946,475cal mol-1) and stellerite (-4,762,036 cal mol-1) and the mixing properties of the solid solution are retrieved from observed phase- and compositional-relations in metabasalts at Berufjordur, Iceland, measured temperatures of zeolite mineral distribution in active geothermal systems, and published observations of reversed phase equilibria. Mixing in stilbite SS can be described with an athermal solid solution model. Thermodynamic data resulting from our analysis provide close correlation between compositions of stilbite SS in Icelandic geothermal systems predicted from compositions of geothermal solutions and observed compositions of these minerals in low-grade metabasalts of Iceland, as well as the observed temperature of the stilbite SS to laumontite (leonhardite) transition in Icelandic geothermal systems. Stilbite SS composition in metabasalts is a sensitive function of temperature, fluid composition, coexisting minerals (especially silica polymorphs) and geothermal gradient.